Cafeterra earns praise for warm, friendly staff, a welcoming vibe, and consistently delicious food and coffee, making it a favorite for brunch and casual cafe visits in Old Montreal. The menu features healthy, flavorful options like Norwegian and Ukrainian breakfasts, avocado toast, pastries, and well crafted coffees, with many noting generous portions and quality ingredients. While some visits highlight attentive service and thoughtful details, a few comments point to slower service during busy times and occasional inconsistencies, yet the overall experience remains highly rated with frequent returns. The cozy, stylish decor and calm atmosphere, sometimes accented by soft jazz, create a relaxing setting that appeals to both locals and guests.
Upon entering, a waiter greeted us & seemed to misunderstand or miscommunicated to us what she wanted as we told her we were here to eat, but she lead us to a coffee table. This is during winter time with not much traffic in the shop. We were also given 1 menu, (2 pages back & forth) for 3 people so we requested another menu which someone else behind the counter responded by practically sliding it on the counter. The food was good & the atmosphere, other than the service, cozy. The service could use some work on the communication personally.
Feb 1, 2026
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Cafeterra is a gem among the restaurants & cafes here. It's a small & upscale place with exceptionally well prepared & tasty food. Their pastries are delightful as well!
The coffees are masterfully prepared - seriously. The mugs, cups & stemware are very fun as well & elevate the experience.
It's best for daytime meals including brunch. I've been coming here for years as a special treat with friends & family. It's first come, first serve for seating, so if you have a larger group it may be tough at peak hours.
I like to support Ukrainian owned businesses & this one was conveniently located near Notre Dame.
In terms of food & coffee, it was pretty average & didn't match the many other great breakfast spots in Montreal, so I wouldn't return.
I had the vegetarian avocado toast, & felt the bread was a bit soggy - a crustier sourdough would help. The espresso macchiato was very dark roasted & also not my favorite.
What I dislike about Old Montreal is the pretentious attitude at mediocre establishments. After placing my order, paying at the counter, & even tipping, I was told that tables were reserved for customers who order from their menu-as if a large latte & an almond croissant don't qualify. There were at least 6 empty tables, yet they warned me that I might be asked to leave if other guests arrived for lunch within the next 25 minutes.
I found it insulting, especially since the person I came with was treated noticeably better, nor was she told that her coffee & plain croissant didn't qualify as'menu item'.
While I enjoyed the pastry, it's simple not enough for me to want to return the next day.
The owner clearly has some anger management issues with the replies she leaves under the bad reviews & I felt the bad energy from the moment she greeted me & my friend at the coffee shop: very rude, impatient & especially ANNOYED. It's very sad because the place itself is very beautiful & calm & perfect to study & the coffee is really good with cute cups, but the energy presented is unbearable, I won't be coming back.
It has also very weird rigid rules as having tables reserved for nobody apparently bc they were said reserved til the closing of the shop & no one came. Also you are not allowed computers during weekend & to eat outside food even if you bought goods from the shop. Negative Russian energy, you won't stay in business very long in Montreal with that attitude. Hope you can change a few things & take criticism as constructive in order to GROW your business instead of deflecting the negative reviews about YOUR service as'humiliating the customers who loved your service'
The food was excellent! Sandwiches & traditional breakfast. Salmon looked great & I enjoyed the Ukrainian sausage 🙂 Tables are ideal for 2 or 4 but they accommodated us as 6 & we still had space. Good coffee too.
I just had a breakfast at cafeterra , it is a delightful brunch spot with a warm, modern vibe & beautifully crafted dishes that feel both comforting & elevated. The Norwegian breakfast was a standout, light, healthy , & perfectly balanced & the coffee was smooth & rich. Friendly service & thoughtful details made the whole experience feel special.
I highly recommend this place for a good brunch !
Cafeterra is the cutest classy place on Notre Dame. The food was amazing & the coffee was delicious. Great atmosphere & great service. I highly recommended.
Oct 27, 2025
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This café in Montreal instantly won my heart. It's spotless clean, cozy, & filled with pleasant music that makes you want to stay longer. The staff are incredibly kind & welcoming, & the service is quick & efficient.
The coffee is truly amazing - rich, smooth, & comforting, just like at home. The food is fresh & delicious, especially the avocado toast with salmon & the almond croissant. Highly recommend this place to anyone visiting Montreal. & the nicest surprise of all - it's run by Ukrainians, which made the visit even more special. 💛💙
Wonderful cafe right next to downtown Montreal! It has a peaceful atmosphere & is always cozy, clean, & comfortable-perfect for spending time with friends. The menu is quite varied, with a great selection of coffee drinks. Whether you're stopping by in the morning or coming for lunch, it's a great spot.
My absolute favorite is the Norwegian breakfast with salmon, avocado, & scrambled eggs. If you're more into bacon & sausages, the Ukrainian breakfast would be a great match. The staff is always nice & helpful.
Highly recommend this place-have a great time while visiting Montreal!
